Tsukiko
08-05-2008, 10:16 PM
...I wanted to post my story. But...Im really not sure if I should cause Im not sure if anyone will read it. I dont wanna waste my time typing it out and posting it useless.
I dont normally share my stories, cause after I post it, I feel so stupid. Like the plot is dumb...a character is or something they said...so Im really nervous to. But Im gonna try.
Basically...my story...is about...a boy and a girl who both share a mysterious power unknown to themselves. Its not a fighting-action story--just to note.
It...probably doesnt sound original...but I think it is.
So please post if anyone seems interested! If not, still 0 replies, I can just ask a mod to delete the whole thread. Cause like I said above, I dont wanna waste my time when no one might not even read it.
If someone does say something, Ill post the first chapter tonight. ^-^
Synchronicity
One ~ Warmth
It's dark and cold. The street lamps flicker on and off. The wind is crying soflty, the night is whispering quietly. It's so lonely. It's inevitable. Or perhaps...it's not.
I can vaguely remember what happened that night. It's all so distant and far away...but I do remember one thing; the hand you held out to me, and the warm smile that lifted the coldness.
"Why are you...alone?" the first words that were ever directed at me. Me. But my lips would not move. My mouth seemed clamped shut. "Well starting tonight..." a gentle hand touched mine. "...I'm going to stay by your side." That warm smile..."I'm Kumo." Kumo. "And who are you?" Who am I? I couldn't even remember my own...name. "Hm...you can be Riku. Riku-chan." Riku. It was the first time I was ever acknowledged, and suddenly, I felt free...as I was gradually able to whisper, "Kumo." And that was the first word I ever remember speaking. And he kept his word...Kumo-kun was always by my side.
It was not inevitable...not anymore.
~
"Hey, come on, Riku-chan! Or we are going to be late for school!"
"Okay...sorry. I'm coming, Kumo-kun." It's already been ten years since I first met Kumo-kun. On that cold night, I became "Riku." And since then, we have never been apart. We have both learned something about one another; we both share a mysterious power. Kumo-kun understands it better than I do, but I do remember that that is why my family abandoned me. Scared of my power, they tossed me aside; they did not need me anymore. I was only four...and everyday, millions of people would pass me by on the streets, but not one would even look at me. But that was until Kumo-kun saved me from my solitude. From everything...from the world. He too, was the same. Left alone, rejected, becaus of a power unknown even to himself. And yet...when I met him, he was smiling. "Our power is very strange, Riku-chan. People are afraid of us because of it. I'm going to learn more about it, and break it someday. I will free you, Riku-chan." That is what Kumo-kun promised to me, and I believe in him. Kumo-kun is strong, and I want to help him as much as I can. But today it is bright and warm, there is no anguish when Kumo-kum is walking beside me.
"Hey listen, Riku-chan. I'm sorry but I won't be home until very late."
"Did you...get another job?"
"Yeah, I did. I'm sorr-"
"What are you apologizing for?! You are working very hard to keep us together. I'm very grateful, Kumo-kun." That's right. Kumo-kun and I live in a very small house in Tokyo. Kumo-kun has alot of jobs, he is always very busy, but I don't resent him for it. Until about two years ago, we lived on the streets and scarcely survived. But Kumo-kun always found a way, and somehow, we are both still alive today. Maybe it's our strange power that keeps us alive...or perhaps, it's our strong will to want to keep living together.
"Class is starting, so I'll see you later, Riku-chan."
"Okay, bye, Kumo-kun! Don't...work yourself too hard, okay?"
"It's a promise. I won't. Don't worry about me." Kumo said smiling.
"All right..." I said smiling weakly. Don't worry, I'm not doubting you. I just don't want you to do so many things for my sake. I'll always believe in you, Kumo-kun...but you can be a bit more selfish if you want. But I guess...that's what's good about you, right? Your thoughtfulness...and kindess...that has given me the strength to move forward.
Two ~ Always
Some of the students at our school do know of our power. It's not like it's a secret hidden from the world. Kumo-kun is even surprised that we are allowed to attend class. But...with our secret known, we are outcasts. School is tough, but Kumo-kun says we must attend. And we must try to not let our powers out of control. That is a bigger problem for myself rather than for Kumo-kun. He can control his powers better than I can. But I'm trying my best, I don't want to be a burden to Kumo-kun.
"Jeez! It's snowing again today!" a scruffy looking blonde haired boy sighed while gazing out of the window.
"We can't play soccer in the snow..." another boy next to him said.
"Hey...I have an idea." the blonde-haired boy said as he jumped off of the desk he was sitting on. "We can ask Kumo if he'll stop it." The boy struts over to a corner of the class where Kumo is sitting all alone. "Hey, Kumo." the boy said in a not-so-friendly manner. "Do me a favor, please."
"...What?" Kumo asked half-ignoring the boy.
"Stop the snow. Then Tosu and I can play soccer this afternoon."
"Why would I stop it? I can't even."
"Yeah! I bet you could with your freakish power!"
"Even if I could...I would not. The snow's beautiful; I wouldn't want to disrupt it."
"'The snow's beautiful...' Ha! You sound so stupid!" the boy smirked.
"Well at least I have an appreciation for things." Kumo replied modestly.
"What?!" the boy said as he grabbed Kumo by the collar of his shirt.
"H-Hey Muzeki!" Tosu, the other boy, says worriedly. "If sensei comes back, we'll be in trouble! And besides..." he quickly glances at Kumo. "He...Kumo, could like, kill you!"
"You think that I'm afraid of a freak like this?!" Muzeki yells. "Kumo...an outcast like you has no right to be at our school!" he suddenly strikes Kumo across the cheek.
"M-Muzeki..." Tosu said, still worried.
"Kumo-kun!" a voice from the other side of the room calls out. In the doorway stands Riku, as she cautiosly steps into the classroom.
"Riku-chan..." Kumo said weakly. "Don't interfere."
"B-But...!" Riku exclaims worriedly.
"And on top of it all, Kumo needs help from a girl!" Muzeki said. Suddenly though, Muzeki falls to the ground, screaming as if in pain. "H-Hey! Muzeki!" Tosu said. "What's wrong?!"
"My...my head." Muzeki sad as he held in his head. Kumo quickly looks at Riku as he says, "Riku-chan! Stop!" Riku clenches her fists as she looks down.
"Muzeki..." Tosu said as he bent down near him.
"I'm fine now!" Muzeki growled. "It's fine!" he looked up at Kumo. "That was your fault! You tried to kill me!"
"No, I-" Kumo began.
"Just-!" Interuppted Muzeki. But then, his eyes, his face, become filled with fear. He slowly staggers upwards.
"Muzeki?" Tosu said confused.
"Leave." Kumo says quietly as he closes his eyes. As if under a hypnosis, both of the boys leave hurriedly, not speaking another word. The classroom is left empty again except for Kumo and Riku. "Riku-chan..." Kumo said as he leaned back against the wall. "Why did you...?"
"I-I'm sorry!" Riku exclaimed. "I just couldn't let them bully you like that..." She quietly walks over to Kumo.
"It's fine..." Kumo sighed.
"Y-You're bleeding! On your cheek!" Riku said.
"Oh? It's fine." Kumo said as he laid his hand on his cheek. But then suddenly, Kumo feels a warm hand on top of his own. "Riku-chan..."
"Please, let me use my power one more time..." she said softly. And then, all of the pain and bleeding stopped, as Riku kept her hand on Kumo's.
"Riku-chan...did you...?"
"Yes, I healed it."
"That's incredible! I didnt know our power could do that."
"I learned it awhile ago...by myself. Are you okay now, Kumo-kun? Does it hurt?"
"No, I'm all right. Thank you, Riku-chan." he said smiling at her faintly.
"Kumo-kun!" Riku exclaimed as she suddenly hugged him. "I'm glad!"
"It was just a minor injury." Kumo laughed slightly.
"I know..." Riku said as she pulled away from him. "But I'm just glad that I was able to help you."
"You're always helping me, Riku-chan."
"Huh?"
"No, it's nothing. Look!" Kumo pointed out to the window.
"It's snowing!" Riku said happily as she walked over to the window. "It's so nice."
"Yeah." Kumo said as he walked over next to her. "It's purifying the world of all the bad people."
"Purifying...then that means..." Riku said slowly as she grabbed Kumo's arm. "...that we'll always be together, right?"
"Yes, Riku-chan...always." Kumo said as he smiled back at her.
Three ~ Protect
The snow didn't last very long...I was sad to see it go. After the whole incident in the school, Kumo-kun told me that I must never use my power to harm other people. We musn't be too consumed with this infinite power we posess. "But when you healed me, Riku-chan...that was okay. Well...to some extent." Kumo-kun told me. "Let's not let other people see our power too often." I know that he is right...but somehow I did not feel concious of using my power to hurt that boy myself. Can our powers...act on their own? I want to learn more...I want to break the power's curse also, like Kumo-kun. I want to be of help. I somewhat feel like I owe a great debt to him. Kumo-kun saved me...all those years ago.
"Ah! Kumo-kun! You're home!" Riku exclaimed as she heard the door clank shut.
"Yeah..." Kumo said tiredly.
"Are you okay? Kumo-kun?"
"Oh, yeah. Don't worry about me, Riku-chan."
"Um...I was um...thinking. Maybe I...maybe I could get a job somehow, too. To...help and all."
"No, Riku-chan."
"Why?" Riku asked timidly. Kumo was silent for a few minutes as if a wall was forming between them. "Because..." Kumo began. "I can't let you be alone with other people." He walked over to the window. "There are people in this world who don't want to understand anything about anyone else. They're selfish and arrogant..." he gripped the window sill. "They don't care, and will hurt other people without a second thought." He turned around and looked at Riku steadily. "I don't want you to get hurt; that's all."
"But I-!" exclaimed Riku. But then she paused and noticed that the expression in Kumo's face looked lonely...and sad. "I understand." Kumo turned around and began walking away. "Kumo-kun!" Riku called out. He stopped. "Thank you." Riku said as she embraced him softly from behind. Kumo turned around and laid his hand on Riku's head. "Good night, Riku-chan." he said as he kieed her forehead gently, and then continued walking. "Kumo-kun..." Riku said as her face seemed to feel hot. "Good night."
That night I dreamt of a pure white snow on the ground, and a gray-colored sky. Someone seems to be calling out my name, but I do not recognize the voice. I step forward, but then, the snow is suddenly a deep, crimson red color before me now. Is it blood? The voice seems to stop calling my name also. The while world seems utterly silent. I can feel my head spinning, as I fall to the ground. The red blood stains my face, but this blood feels warm, not cold like on the snow. Still barely concious, I lay my hand on my head, and when I look...my hand is purely stained crimson. It keeps on flowing down my face...mixing in with the tears that fall from my eyes. And suddenly, I lose concious. The whole world seems to stop breathing...everything is now total silence and darkness.
"Riku-chan! Riku-chan!" Riku slowly opened her eyes as she sees Kumo right by her side. "Are you okay, Riku-chan?" he asked anxiously.
"I'm..." Riku said slowly.
"You passed out in the living room after we were done talking last night. You have a fever." he gently placed his hand on her forehead. "I moved you into your room...I'll go get some ice." He stood up and left the room. Riku turned to her side as she suddenly remembered that strange dream she had. She looked at her hands and sighed. "It was...scary." she thought quietly to herself. "But who was that person calling my name? Was it...Kumo-kun?" she closed her eyes and recounted all of the events.
It was...scary.
Four ~ Doubt
"It looks like you're going to have to stay home from school today, Riku-chan." Kumo said the next morning as the sun broke through the window into Riku's room. "You...probably passed out from using your powers too much the other day. Just rest, okay?" He gently touched Riku's pale face.
"Okay..." Riku quietly said.
"Ill see you later tonight." Kumo said as he slung his bag over him. "I'm sorry that you're going to be alone for awhile."
"N-No! It's fine! Kumo-kun." Riku exclaimed. "Good luck with work." she said smiling.
"Thanks, Riku-chan." Kumi smiled. "See you." The door shut creakily behind him as he left. Riku laid back against her pillow and sighed. "I'm so bored..." she looked out the window as rain began to gently fall. "It's really lonely." she thought to herself gloomily. "And Kumo-kun won't be home until really late..." She put her hands on her head. "I'm so stupid. I'm just another thing Kumo-kun needs to worry about." She crept out of her bed. "If I have the time to feel depressed, then I have the time to learn how to control my powers better." Riku closed her eyes silently. "All right, Kumo-kun. You don't need to worry about me anymore!"
The day passed very slowly, but even when it was late at night, Kumo still never returned home. "I'll just go to bed." Riku told herself. "I'm sure that he'll be back by morning. I hope." she added doubtfully.
"Hey Riku-chan." a voice quietly said. "Riku-chan." Riku opened her eyes as she saw nothing but darkness. "K-Kumo...kun?" she said tiredly.
"Yeah, it's me. I'm sorry I wasn't home at all last night. I was..anyway, I'll tell you tomorrow morning. It's something...concerning our power." he quietly whispered.
"What...time is it?"
"About 3 A.M."
"Tell me now, Kumo-kun."
"Hm?"
"About our power."
"No, not now. Morning I will. You need to rest, Riku-chan." He patted her head lightly.
"Okay..." Riku said slowly. "Hey Kumo-kun. I think...I've learned how to control my powers better now. So please, don't worry about me too much anymore." Please.
"Well even if you do have complete control over your powers, I'll always be worrying about you." Riku couldn't tell in the dark whether or not Kumi was smiling or frowning, while he said this.
"I'm not a kid you know! Kumo-kun."
"I know, Riku-chan. I don't see you as one."
"Ah...um...okay."
"Now good night!" Kumo said loudly, yet not meanly.
"Not a kid, huh? Then quit telling me when to go to bed!" Riku said teasingly.
The sun wasn't shining bright in the morning at all. Instead, the sky was gray and dark as rain clouds formed above. "I can go to school today, Kumo-kun." Riku said.
"Are you sure?" Kumo asked. "Do you feel better?"
"Yeah, I do." Riku smiled.
"All right..."
"So are you going to tell me?"
"What?"
"About our power! Last night-er, early morning, you told me you learned something about it."
"Oh...that's right." Sorry, it slipped my mind."
"Okay. Tell me! Tell me!"
"Jeez you really are a kid. Anyway, okay. But...it's sort of really complicated. You see, last night, as I was coming home from work, I met a very strange man."
"Who was he?"
"Well, somehow he knew that I had our strange power, and he told me that he could tell me all about it. At first, I didn't believe him of course, but he too, is posessed by the Kuromisa."
"Kuro...misa?"
"Yeah, that is the name of our power. He even gave me proof that he had it, he slit his finger, then healed it instantly, so I believed him. But...he said that it's very complicated, the origin of Kuromisa. That is all he said. He is going to explain more to me today."
"I wanna come!" Riku exclaimed. "I wanna learn, too..."
"Riku-chan..." Kumo began. "You can't."
"Why?! It's...it's my power, too, Kumo-kun!"
"I know..."
"Why..why do you always treat me like a kid?!"
"I told you, I don't-"
"Yes, you do!" yelled Riku. "You never let me do anything! You always..."
"Riku-chan." Kumo said calmly. "I..." he put his hand on her shouler. "I don't want you to get hurt. I'm not sure if I can trust this man yet. That's why..." He let go of her. "Come on...let's get ready for school." he said as he left the room.
"Kumo-kun..." Riku said to herself quietly with a troubled expression splayed across her face. "Sorry."
Five ~ Haunting
"Riku-chan." Kumo said as they were walking to school. "I've decided that you can come along today with me."
"N-No! It's okay, really, Kumo-kun." Riku exclaimed.
"No, I want you to come so that I don't have to explain it all to you. You're right anyways...it's your power, too."
"Um...o-okay. Thank you, Kumo-kun." Riku said smiling as she touched his arm.
"You're welcome." Kumo said, smiling slightly. "It...it really seemed like a coincidence that we found each other. I mean, sharing the same exact power and all. I traveled for many months...alone, after my family abanonded me."
"You...lived originally in Kyoto, right?"
"Yeah...I'm pretty sure it was Kyoto. And then I found Riku-chan in Tokyo."
"Well, I'm glad. I mean I'm glad that Kumo-kun found me. Cause it was really..."
"Lonely."
"Yeah..." Kumo stopped walking and looked up at the dull gray sky. "It's going to rain soon." he said. "Come on, let's get to school before it starts."
"Hey, look, Kumo-kun!" Riiku said happily. "It's snow!"
"You're right..." Kumo said as snow began to fall from the sky slowly. "Well it is only the end of March. I thought for sure it was going to rain."
"It'll probably be the last snow of the year." Riku said sadly.
"Hey, Riku-chan. Why do you...like the snow so much?" Riku looked up at the sky as snowflakes swirled around them. "Because...it was snowing the night you found me, Kumo-kun. It was really...cold. I wasn't even sure if I was going to durvive. But then when Kumo-kun came, it...seemed like the sun came out and it was really warm...and happy." she looked down at the fallen snow. "I was really happy."
"Riku-chan...you give me too much credit."
"No. You've no idea how happy I was that night. And I had already given up. But seeing you, Kumo-kun, still smiling at me, it really gave me some courage." she paused. "Oh man! This probably all sounds really corny." she said rubbing her head.
"No, it's not." Kumo said. "Riku-chan made me really happy that night, too." He smiled warmly.
"Ahh...now you're giving me too much credit." Riku said blushing slightly.
"Come on. Let's get to school for sure now..." He grabbed Riku's hand.
"Oh, okay! I...hope we're not late." She looked up at the sky and closed her eyes. "I'm glad." she said to herself. "I was able to finally tell you...how much you really saved me that night."
At the end of school, after Riku stepped outside, it was still snowing very lightly. "Good." she thought happily to herself as she let the snow fall onto her hands.
"Riku-chan" a voice said behind her back.
"Oh, Kumo-kun!" Riku exclaimed as she turned around. "I was just wondering..."
"I don't have work today."
"You don't?"
"No, sorry. I forgot to mention it earlier. So we are going to see that man right now." He began walking.
"Okay..." Riku said as she began walking also. After about an hour, Riku asked timidly, "Um...is the man old? I mean, is he like some kind of hermit?"
"No, he't not actually." answered Kumo. "He looks...like he's in his twenties, or something."
"Oh, I see. How far away does he live?"
"Only about five miles out of the city. He doesn't really live in the main city. He gave me directions on where he lives when we met. We should be there soon." In about half an hour, they came to a worn down looking house built out of wood that seemed to be decaying. There were no other houses nearby it. There seemed to be a very mysterious and haunting aura about it also. "This is it." Kumo said quietly. The two of them walked up to the door as Kumo knocked softly. No one answered for a few minutes until the door slowly opened with a creak. "You two must be...Kumo-san and Riku-shan, correct?" a voice said.
"Y-yes. It's me, Kumo, from last night."
"Come in." The voice said again. Kumo and Riku stepped into the house as the door closed behind them. It was pitch black in the room, except for one candle that was lit in the center. Riku shakily grabbed Kumo's arm as they both stepped nearer into the dark room. "Kuro...misa." the voice echoed in the silence. "I shall explain it all to you."
Six ~ Revealment
"So you two children are possessed by the Kuromisa, yes?" the strange voice said again.
"Yes, we are." Kumo said boldly.
"I see..." And quite suddenly, the lights flickered on and the room became very bright. "Oh yes, you're the boy from last night. You can call me Zannen." Standing before them was a young man, whose hair was raven-black, just like Kumo's and Riku's. He had quite a friendly face, but his eyes seemed to resemble that of a hidden loneliness. He had an eccentric grin on his face, as if everything and everyone in the world was a huge joke.
"Zannen-san?" Kumo said. "So, you're 'too bad.'"
"Yes, that's me." Zannen said, still grinning stupidly. "And...may I call you Kumo-kun, and the little miss Riku-chan?"
"Yes-wait. How...do you know our names? I...I didn't tell you mine the night we met, and this is your first time meeting Riku-chan."
"Oh. That. It's the Kuromisa."
"I...see."
"Perhaps you don't."
Kumo stared at Zannen in annoyance, until he exclaimed laughing, "I'm kidding!"
"This man..." Kumo thought to himself. "Is he insane, or just stupid?" Zannen walked over to the both of them and stared at them for a long time. "My..." he began saying. "You two are...quite adorable children." He grinned again.
"Um..." Kumo said blankly.
"Especially Riku-chan! You're probably the cutest girl I've ever seen who's been possessed by the Kuromisa!" He patted Riku's head and smiled at her.
"T-Thank you." Riku said timidly as she gripped Kumo's arm tighter.
"What do you mean, Zannen-san?" Kumo asked. Have you-"
"Some people..." interuppted Zannen. "That are possessed by the Kuromisa can be really beautiful, like us, or...really ugly." He added bluntly.
"That's a nice way to put it..." Kumo thought to himself. "Zannen-san." He said outloud. "Where exactly does Kuromisa originate from?"
"Sit down." Zannen said as he pointed to the right side of the room where a very small table was. "I would offrt you two some tea, but...I don't have any."
"That's...fine."
"I have hot chocolate though!" he said brightly. "I don't like tea...or coffee. Okay, then! I'll make some cocoa!" he walked away.
"Kumo-kun..." Riku whispered as she tugged on his arm.
"I know he's a little...but we must bear with it." Kumo said quietly back. "He's the only one who can tell us about our power."
And finally, after several minutes, when all three of them were seated, Zannen seemed to become quite serious than he was being before, and began to tell Kumo and Riku about their strange power, that had been a total mysterious after all this time. "'Kuromisa...' means 'Black Mass.'" Zannen said. "Why it is named that I do not know. Kuromisa has been possessing people for hundreds of years. I'm still not sure how people become indulged with this power, but I do know, Kuromisa can do alot of amazing things, so to say. Causing pain, creating happiness-it can harm and heal. It's very weird, I think." he sighed. "And eveyrone who is possessed by it acquire dark hair, like all three of us do."
"I see." Kumo said. "No wonder. People would always ask Riku-chan and I if we were siblings. I thought that it was just a coicidence that we look alike."
"You can dye your hair, of course..." Zannen said. "But...anyways, Kuromisa is not from this world."
"This world?" exclaimed Riku. "What do you...mean, Zannen-san?"
"Exactly what it sounds like. Kuromisa, was, I mean, does not originate from this world, unviverse even. Earth...so to say. I know, it's confusing!" he lauged. "I'm not sure which world, but...there are many worlds out there, that I know."
"Really..." Kumo said doubtfully.
"You...probably don't believe me, but it's true. I happen to know because I've been studying Kuromisa for over a hundred years."
"But you're only like twenty! So how can you-"
"Immortality. Kuromisa grants immortality."
"T-That's!"
"True! And I happen to know that there are other worlds because I do not come from this one. I've traveled between the dimensions. That is another power Kuromisa can conjure. But of course, it takes awhile to learn."
"Zannen-san..." Kumo said slowly. "Why did you come to Japan, then?"
"It was just luck, actually. I was just traveling through different worlds and happen to come across this one. I liked it, so I decided to stay And then...after I've been living here for twenty years, I felt the prescence of two more Kuromisa users. You two. Kumo-kun...and Riku-chan."
I dont normally share my stories, cause after I post it, I feel so stupid. Like the plot is dumb...a character is or something they said...so Im really nervous to. But Im gonna try.
Basically...my story...is about...a boy and a girl who both share a mysterious power unknown to themselves. Its not a fighting-action story--just to note.
It...probably doesnt sound original...but I think it is.
So please post if anyone seems interested! If not, still 0 replies, I can just ask a mod to delete the whole thread. Cause like I said above, I dont wanna waste my time when no one might not even read it.
If someone does say something, Ill post the first chapter tonight. ^-^
Synchronicity
One ~ Warmth
It's dark and cold. The street lamps flicker on and off. The wind is crying soflty, the night is whispering quietly. It's so lonely. It's inevitable. Or perhaps...it's not.
I can vaguely remember what happened that night. It's all so distant and far away...but I do remember one thing; the hand you held out to me, and the warm smile that lifted the coldness.
"Why are you...alone?" the first words that were ever directed at me. Me. But my lips would not move. My mouth seemed clamped shut. "Well starting tonight..." a gentle hand touched mine. "...I'm going to stay by your side." That warm smile..."I'm Kumo." Kumo. "And who are you?" Who am I? I couldn't even remember my own...name. "Hm...you can be Riku. Riku-chan." Riku. It was the first time I was ever acknowledged, and suddenly, I felt free...as I was gradually able to whisper, "Kumo." And that was the first word I ever remember speaking. And he kept his word...Kumo-kun was always by my side.
It was not inevitable...not anymore.
~
"Hey, come on, Riku-chan! Or we are going to be late for school!"
"Okay...sorry. I'm coming, Kumo-kun." It's already been ten years since I first met Kumo-kun. On that cold night, I became "Riku." And since then, we have never been apart. We have both learned something about one another; we both share a mysterious power. Kumo-kun understands it better than I do, but I do remember that that is why my family abandoned me. Scared of my power, they tossed me aside; they did not need me anymore. I was only four...and everyday, millions of people would pass me by on the streets, but not one would even look at me. But that was until Kumo-kun saved me from my solitude. From everything...from the world. He too, was the same. Left alone, rejected, becaus of a power unknown even to himself. And yet...when I met him, he was smiling. "Our power is very strange, Riku-chan. People are afraid of us because of it. I'm going to learn more about it, and break it someday. I will free you, Riku-chan." That is what Kumo-kun promised to me, and I believe in him. Kumo-kun is strong, and I want to help him as much as I can. But today it is bright and warm, there is no anguish when Kumo-kum is walking beside me.
"Hey listen, Riku-chan. I'm sorry but I won't be home until very late."
"Did you...get another job?"
"Yeah, I did. I'm sorr-"
"What are you apologizing for?! You are working very hard to keep us together. I'm very grateful, Kumo-kun." That's right. Kumo-kun and I live in a very small house in Tokyo. Kumo-kun has alot of jobs, he is always very busy, but I don't resent him for it. Until about two years ago, we lived on the streets and scarcely survived. But Kumo-kun always found a way, and somehow, we are both still alive today. Maybe it's our strange power that keeps us alive...or perhaps, it's our strong will to want to keep living together.
"Class is starting, so I'll see you later, Riku-chan."
"Okay, bye, Kumo-kun! Don't...work yourself too hard, okay?"
"It's a promise. I won't. Don't worry about me." Kumo said smiling.
"All right..." I said smiling weakly. Don't worry, I'm not doubting you. I just don't want you to do so many things for my sake. I'll always believe in you, Kumo-kun...but you can be a bit more selfish if you want. But I guess...that's what's good about you, right? Your thoughtfulness...and kindess...that has given me the strength to move forward.
Two ~ Always
Some of the students at our school do know of our power. It's not like it's a secret hidden from the world. Kumo-kun is even surprised that we are allowed to attend class. But...with our secret known, we are outcasts. School is tough, but Kumo-kun says we must attend. And we must try to not let our powers out of control. That is a bigger problem for myself rather than for Kumo-kun. He can control his powers better than I can. But I'm trying my best, I don't want to be a burden to Kumo-kun.
"Jeez! It's snowing again today!" a scruffy looking blonde haired boy sighed while gazing out of the window.
"We can't play soccer in the snow..." another boy next to him said.
"Hey...I have an idea." the blonde-haired boy said as he jumped off of the desk he was sitting on. "We can ask Kumo if he'll stop it." The boy struts over to a corner of the class where Kumo is sitting all alone. "Hey, Kumo." the boy said in a not-so-friendly manner. "Do me a favor, please."
"...What?" Kumo asked half-ignoring the boy.
"Stop the snow. Then Tosu and I can play soccer this afternoon."
"Why would I stop it? I can't even."
"Yeah! I bet you could with your freakish power!"
"Even if I could...I would not. The snow's beautiful; I wouldn't want to disrupt it."
"'The snow's beautiful...' Ha! You sound so stupid!" the boy smirked.
"Well at least I have an appreciation for things." Kumo replied modestly.
"What?!" the boy said as he grabbed Kumo by the collar of his shirt.
"H-Hey Muzeki!" Tosu, the other boy, says worriedly. "If sensei comes back, we'll be in trouble! And besides..." he quickly glances at Kumo. "He...Kumo, could like, kill you!"
"You think that I'm afraid of a freak like this?!" Muzeki yells. "Kumo...an outcast like you has no right to be at our school!" he suddenly strikes Kumo across the cheek.
"M-Muzeki..." Tosu said, still worried.
"Kumo-kun!" a voice from the other side of the room calls out. In the doorway stands Riku, as she cautiosly steps into the classroom.
"Riku-chan..." Kumo said weakly. "Don't interfere."
"B-But...!" Riku exclaims worriedly.
"And on top of it all, Kumo needs help from a girl!" Muzeki said. Suddenly though, Muzeki falls to the ground, screaming as if in pain. "H-Hey! Muzeki!" Tosu said. "What's wrong?!"
"My...my head." Muzeki sad as he held in his head. Kumo quickly looks at Riku as he says, "Riku-chan! Stop!" Riku clenches her fists as she looks down.
"Muzeki..." Tosu said as he bent down near him.
"I'm fine now!" Muzeki growled. "It's fine!" he looked up at Kumo. "That was your fault! You tried to kill me!"
"No, I-" Kumo began.
"Just-!" Interuppted Muzeki. But then, his eyes, his face, become filled with fear. He slowly staggers upwards.
"Muzeki?" Tosu said confused.
"Leave." Kumo says quietly as he closes his eyes. As if under a hypnosis, both of the boys leave hurriedly, not speaking another word. The classroom is left empty again except for Kumo and Riku. "Riku-chan..." Kumo said as he leaned back against the wall. "Why did you...?"
"I-I'm sorry!" Riku exclaimed. "I just couldn't let them bully you like that..." She quietly walks over to Kumo.
"It's fine..." Kumo sighed.
"Y-You're bleeding! On your cheek!" Riku said.
"Oh? It's fine." Kumo said as he laid his hand on his cheek. But then suddenly, Kumo feels a warm hand on top of his own. "Riku-chan..."
"Please, let me use my power one more time..." she said softly. And then, all of the pain and bleeding stopped, as Riku kept her hand on Kumo's.
"Riku-chan...did you...?"
"Yes, I healed it."
"That's incredible! I didnt know our power could do that."
"I learned it awhile ago...by myself. Are you okay now, Kumo-kun? Does it hurt?"
"No, I'm all right. Thank you, Riku-chan." he said smiling at her faintly.
"Kumo-kun!" Riku exclaimed as she suddenly hugged him. "I'm glad!"
"It was just a minor injury." Kumo laughed slightly.
"I know..." Riku said as she pulled away from him. "But I'm just glad that I was able to help you."
"You're always helping me, Riku-chan."
"Huh?"
"No, it's nothing. Look!" Kumo pointed out to the window.
"It's snowing!" Riku said happily as she walked over to the window. "It's so nice."
"Yeah." Kumo said as he walked over next to her. "It's purifying the world of all the bad people."
"Purifying...then that means..." Riku said slowly as she grabbed Kumo's arm. "...that we'll always be together, right?"
"Yes, Riku-chan...always." Kumo said as he smiled back at her.
Three ~ Protect
The snow didn't last very long...I was sad to see it go. After the whole incident in the school, Kumo-kun told me that I must never use my power to harm other people. We musn't be too consumed with this infinite power we posess. "But when you healed me, Riku-chan...that was okay. Well...to some extent." Kumo-kun told me. "Let's not let other people see our power too often." I know that he is right...but somehow I did not feel concious of using my power to hurt that boy myself. Can our powers...act on their own? I want to learn more...I want to break the power's curse also, like Kumo-kun. I want to be of help. I somewhat feel like I owe a great debt to him. Kumo-kun saved me...all those years ago.
"Ah! Kumo-kun! You're home!" Riku exclaimed as she heard the door clank shut.
"Yeah..." Kumo said tiredly.
"Are you okay? Kumo-kun?"
"Oh, yeah. Don't worry about me, Riku-chan."
"Um...I was um...thinking. Maybe I...maybe I could get a job somehow, too. To...help and all."
"No, Riku-chan."
"Why?" Riku asked timidly. Kumo was silent for a few minutes as if a wall was forming between them. "Because..." Kumo began. "I can't let you be alone with other people." He walked over to the window. "There are people in this world who don't want to understand anything about anyone else. They're selfish and arrogant..." he gripped the window sill. "They don't care, and will hurt other people without a second thought." He turned around and looked at Riku steadily. "I don't want you to get hurt; that's all."
"But I-!" exclaimed Riku. But then she paused and noticed that the expression in Kumo's face looked lonely...and sad. "I understand." Kumo turned around and began walking away. "Kumo-kun!" Riku called out. He stopped. "Thank you." Riku said as she embraced him softly from behind. Kumo turned around and laid his hand on Riku's head. "Good night, Riku-chan." he said as he kieed her forehead gently, and then continued walking. "Kumo-kun..." Riku said as her face seemed to feel hot. "Good night."
That night I dreamt of a pure white snow on the ground, and a gray-colored sky. Someone seems to be calling out my name, but I do not recognize the voice. I step forward, but then, the snow is suddenly a deep, crimson red color before me now. Is it blood? The voice seems to stop calling my name also. The while world seems utterly silent. I can feel my head spinning, as I fall to the ground. The red blood stains my face, but this blood feels warm, not cold like on the snow. Still barely concious, I lay my hand on my head, and when I look...my hand is purely stained crimson. It keeps on flowing down my face...mixing in with the tears that fall from my eyes. And suddenly, I lose concious. The whole world seems to stop breathing...everything is now total silence and darkness.
"Riku-chan! Riku-chan!" Riku slowly opened her eyes as she sees Kumo right by her side. "Are you okay, Riku-chan?" he asked anxiously.
"I'm..." Riku said slowly.
"You passed out in the living room after we were done talking last night. You have a fever." he gently placed his hand on her forehead. "I moved you into your room...I'll go get some ice." He stood up and left the room. Riku turned to her side as she suddenly remembered that strange dream she had. She looked at her hands and sighed. "It was...scary." she thought quietly to herself. "But who was that person calling my name? Was it...Kumo-kun?" she closed her eyes and recounted all of the events.
It was...scary.
Four ~ Doubt
"It looks like you're going to have to stay home from school today, Riku-chan." Kumo said the next morning as the sun broke through the window into Riku's room. "You...probably passed out from using your powers too much the other day. Just rest, okay?" He gently touched Riku's pale face.
"Okay..." Riku quietly said.
"Ill see you later tonight." Kumo said as he slung his bag over him. "I'm sorry that you're going to be alone for awhile."
"N-No! It's fine! Kumo-kun." Riku exclaimed. "Good luck with work." she said smiling.
"Thanks, Riku-chan." Kumi smiled. "See you." The door shut creakily behind him as he left. Riku laid back against her pillow and sighed. "I'm so bored..." she looked out the window as rain began to gently fall. "It's really lonely." she thought to herself gloomily. "And Kumo-kun won't be home until really late..." She put her hands on her head. "I'm so stupid. I'm just another thing Kumo-kun needs to worry about." She crept out of her bed. "If I have the time to feel depressed, then I have the time to learn how to control my powers better." Riku closed her eyes silently. "All right, Kumo-kun. You don't need to worry about me anymore!"
The day passed very slowly, but even when it was late at night, Kumo still never returned home. "I'll just go to bed." Riku told herself. "I'm sure that he'll be back by morning. I hope." she added doubtfully.
"Hey Riku-chan." a voice quietly said. "Riku-chan." Riku opened her eyes as she saw nothing but darkness. "K-Kumo...kun?" she said tiredly.
"Yeah, it's me. I'm sorry I wasn't home at all last night. I was..anyway, I'll tell you tomorrow morning. It's something...concerning our power." he quietly whispered.
"What...time is it?"
"About 3 A.M."
"Tell me now, Kumo-kun."
"Hm?"
"About our power."
"No, not now. Morning I will. You need to rest, Riku-chan." He patted her head lightly.
"Okay..." Riku said slowly. "Hey Kumo-kun. I think...I've learned how to control my powers better now. So please, don't worry about me too much anymore." Please.
"Well even if you do have complete control over your powers, I'll always be worrying about you." Riku couldn't tell in the dark whether or not Kumi was smiling or frowning, while he said this.
"I'm not a kid you know! Kumo-kun."
"I know, Riku-chan. I don't see you as one."
"Ah...um...okay."
"Now good night!" Kumo said loudly, yet not meanly.
"Not a kid, huh? Then quit telling me when to go to bed!" Riku said teasingly.
The sun wasn't shining bright in the morning at all. Instead, the sky was gray and dark as rain clouds formed above. "I can go to school today, Kumo-kun." Riku said.
"Are you sure?" Kumo asked. "Do you feel better?"
"Yeah, I do." Riku smiled.
"All right..."
"So are you going to tell me?"
"What?"
"About our power! Last night-er, early morning, you told me you learned something about it."
"Oh...that's right." Sorry, it slipped my mind."
"Okay. Tell me! Tell me!"
"Jeez you really are a kid. Anyway, okay. But...it's sort of really complicated. You see, last night, as I was coming home from work, I met a very strange man."
"Who was he?"
"Well, somehow he knew that I had our strange power, and he told me that he could tell me all about it. At first, I didn't believe him of course, but he too, is posessed by the Kuromisa."
"Kuro...misa?"
"Yeah, that is the name of our power. He even gave me proof that he had it, he slit his finger, then healed it instantly, so I believed him. But...he said that it's very complicated, the origin of Kuromisa. That is all he said. He is going to explain more to me today."
"I wanna come!" Riku exclaimed. "I wanna learn, too..."
"Riku-chan..." Kumo began. "You can't."
"Why?! It's...it's my power, too, Kumo-kun!"
"I know..."
"Why..why do you always treat me like a kid?!"
"I told you, I don't-"
"Yes, you do!" yelled Riku. "You never let me do anything! You always..."
"Riku-chan." Kumo said calmly. "I..." he put his hand on her shouler. "I don't want you to get hurt. I'm not sure if I can trust this man yet. That's why..." He let go of her. "Come on...let's get ready for school." he said as he left the room.
"Kumo-kun..." Riku said to herself quietly with a troubled expression splayed across her face. "Sorry."
Five ~ Haunting
"Riku-chan." Kumo said as they were walking to school. "I've decided that you can come along today with me."
"N-No! It's okay, really, Kumo-kun." Riku exclaimed.
"No, I want you to come so that I don't have to explain it all to you. You're right anyways...it's your power, too."
"Um...o-okay. Thank you, Kumo-kun." Riku said smiling as she touched his arm.
"You're welcome." Kumo said, smiling slightly. "It...it really seemed like a coincidence that we found each other. I mean, sharing the same exact power and all. I traveled for many months...alone, after my family abanonded me."
"You...lived originally in Kyoto, right?"
"Yeah...I'm pretty sure it was Kyoto. And then I found Riku-chan in Tokyo."
"Well, I'm glad. I mean I'm glad that Kumo-kun found me. Cause it was really..."
"Lonely."
"Yeah..." Kumo stopped walking and looked up at the dull gray sky. "It's going to rain soon." he said. "Come on, let's get to school before it starts."
"Hey, look, Kumo-kun!" Riiku said happily. "It's snow!"
"You're right..." Kumo said as snow began to fall from the sky slowly. "Well it is only the end of March. I thought for sure it was going to rain."
"It'll probably be the last snow of the year." Riku said sadly.
"Hey, Riku-chan. Why do you...like the snow so much?" Riku looked up at the sky as snowflakes swirled around them. "Because...it was snowing the night you found me, Kumo-kun. It was really...cold. I wasn't even sure if I was going to durvive. But then when Kumo-kun came, it...seemed like the sun came out and it was really warm...and happy." she looked down at the fallen snow. "I was really happy."
"Riku-chan...you give me too much credit."
"No. You've no idea how happy I was that night. And I had already given up. But seeing you, Kumo-kun, still smiling at me, it really gave me some courage." she paused. "Oh man! This probably all sounds really corny." she said rubbing her head.
"No, it's not." Kumo said. "Riku-chan made me really happy that night, too." He smiled warmly.
"Ahh...now you're giving me too much credit." Riku said blushing slightly.
"Come on. Let's get to school for sure now..." He grabbed Riku's hand.
"Oh, okay! I...hope we're not late." She looked up at the sky and closed her eyes. "I'm glad." she said to herself. "I was able to finally tell you...how much you really saved me that night."
At the end of school, after Riku stepped outside, it was still snowing very lightly. "Good." she thought happily to herself as she let the snow fall onto her hands.
"Riku-chan" a voice said behind her back.
"Oh, Kumo-kun!" Riku exclaimed as she turned around. "I was just wondering..."
"I don't have work today."
"You don't?"
"No, sorry. I forgot to mention it earlier. So we are going to see that man right now." He began walking.
"Okay..." Riku said as she began walking also. After about an hour, Riku asked timidly, "Um...is the man old? I mean, is he like some kind of hermit?"
"No, he't not actually." answered Kumo. "He looks...like he's in his twenties, or something."
"Oh, I see. How far away does he live?"
"Only about five miles out of the city. He doesn't really live in the main city. He gave me directions on where he lives when we met. We should be there soon." In about half an hour, they came to a worn down looking house built out of wood that seemed to be decaying. There were no other houses nearby it. There seemed to be a very mysterious and haunting aura about it also. "This is it." Kumo said quietly. The two of them walked up to the door as Kumo knocked softly. No one answered for a few minutes until the door slowly opened with a creak. "You two must be...Kumo-san and Riku-shan, correct?" a voice said.
"Y-yes. It's me, Kumo, from last night."
"Come in." The voice said again. Kumo and Riku stepped into the house as the door closed behind them. It was pitch black in the room, except for one candle that was lit in the center. Riku shakily grabbed Kumo's arm as they both stepped nearer into the dark room. "Kuro...misa." the voice echoed in the silence. "I shall explain it all to you."
Six ~ Revealment
"So you two children are possessed by the Kuromisa, yes?" the strange voice said again.
"Yes, we are." Kumo said boldly.
"I see..." And quite suddenly, the lights flickered on and the room became very bright. "Oh yes, you're the boy from last night. You can call me Zannen." Standing before them was a young man, whose hair was raven-black, just like Kumo's and Riku's. He had quite a friendly face, but his eyes seemed to resemble that of a hidden loneliness. He had an eccentric grin on his face, as if everything and everyone in the world was a huge joke.
"Zannen-san?" Kumo said. "So, you're 'too bad.'"
"Yes, that's me." Zannen said, still grinning stupidly. "And...may I call you Kumo-kun, and the little miss Riku-chan?"
"Yes-wait. How...do you know our names? I...I didn't tell you mine the night we met, and this is your first time meeting Riku-chan."
"Oh. That. It's the Kuromisa."
"I...see."
"Perhaps you don't."
Kumo stared at Zannen in annoyance, until he exclaimed laughing, "I'm kidding!"
"This man..." Kumo thought to himself. "Is he insane, or just stupid?" Zannen walked over to the both of them and stared at them for a long time. "My..." he began saying. "You two are...quite adorable children." He grinned again.
"Um..." Kumo said blankly.
"Especially Riku-chan! You're probably the cutest girl I've ever seen who's been possessed by the Kuromisa!" He patted Riku's head and smiled at her.
"T-Thank you." Riku said timidly as she gripped Kumo's arm tighter.
"What do you mean, Zannen-san?" Kumo asked. Have you-"
"Some people..." interuppted Zannen. "That are possessed by the Kuromisa can be really beautiful, like us, or...really ugly." He added bluntly.
"That's a nice way to put it..." Kumo thought to himself. "Zannen-san." He said outloud. "Where exactly does Kuromisa originate from?"
"Sit down." Zannen said as he pointed to the right side of the room where a very small table was. "I would offrt you two some tea, but...I don't have any."
"That's...fine."
"I have hot chocolate though!" he said brightly. "I don't like tea...or coffee. Okay, then! I'll make some cocoa!" he walked away.
"Kumo-kun..." Riku whispered as she tugged on his arm.
"I know he's a little...but we must bear with it." Kumo said quietly back. "He's the only one who can tell us about our power."
And finally, after several minutes, when all three of them were seated, Zannen seemed to become quite serious than he was being before, and began to tell Kumo and Riku about their strange power, that had been a total mysterious after all this time. "'Kuromisa...' means 'Black Mass.'" Zannen said. "Why it is named that I do not know. Kuromisa has been possessing people for hundreds of years. I'm still not sure how people become indulged with this power, but I do know, Kuromisa can do alot of amazing things, so to say. Causing pain, creating happiness-it can harm and heal. It's very weird, I think." he sighed. "And eveyrone who is possessed by it acquire dark hair, like all three of us do."
"I see." Kumo said. "No wonder. People would always ask Riku-chan and I if we were siblings. I thought that it was just a coicidence that we look alike."
"You can dye your hair, of course..." Zannen said. "But...anyways, Kuromisa is not from this world."
"This world?" exclaimed Riku. "What do you...mean, Zannen-san?"
"Exactly what it sounds like. Kuromisa, was, I mean, does not originate from this world, unviverse even. Earth...so to say. I know, it's confusing!" he lauged. "I'm not sure which world, but...there are many worlds out there, that I know."
"Really..." Kumo said doubtfully.
"You...probably don't believe me, but it's true. I happen to know because I've been studying Kuromisa for over a hundred years."
"But you're only like twenty! So how can you-"
"Immortality. Kuromisa grants immortality."
"T-That's!"
"True! And I happen to know that there are other worlds because I do not come from this one. I've traveled between the dimensions. That is another power Kuromisa can conjure. But of course, it takes awhile to learn."
"Zannen-san..." Kumo said slowly. "Why did you come to Japan, then?"
"It was just luck, actually. I was just traveling through different worlds and happen to come across this one. I liked it, so I decided to stay And then...after I've been living here for twenty years, I felt the prescence of two more Kuromisa users. You two. Kumo-kun...and Riku-chan."